ROCKVILLE, Md. -- Friday's crash involving a MARC train and a pregnant driver who got caught crossing the railroad tracks prompted authorities to remind drivers never to attempt to cross tracks unless there already is sufficient room between the crossing and the next vehicle on the other side of the tracks.
Cemille Valencia's car was struck after the gates came down on her car. She said traffic was moving along at a steady pace but just stopped suddenly, leaving her stuck on the tracks at Randolph Road in Rockville.
The conductor tried to stop, but it was too late, and the train struck Valencia's car, sent it spinning and forced a crossing barrier through the back of the car and all the way through the front windshield, barely missing Valencia's head.
Valencia is seven months pregnant, but neither she nor her unborn child was seriously hurt.
People who live and work in the area say traffic backs up on the tracks several times a day.
AAA Mid-Atlantic advised motorists to keep a safe distance of 10 to 50 feet from the railroad crossing, especially during rush hour.
